BJP New Delhi’s candidate Parvesh Verma on Monday accused AAP of failing to fulfil its pledge of providing homes to slum dwellers and claimed these people have not got houses despite paying large sums of money to the Delhi government under its housing scheme for them. Verma, who has been pitted against AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, was accompanied by affected slum dwellers, who narrated their ordeal.
Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, the two time former BJP MP slammed the former Delhi chief minister for his repeated claims that the saffron party would demolish all slums in the city if it is voted to power. He also claimed that after the press conference, Kejriwal should declare not contesting the election following AAP chief challenging Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday.
"AAP has made a mockery of the system. They have been lying repeatedly, misguiding the people of Delhi, especially the poor living in jhuggis (slums). I want to ask Kejriwal, who is building his own 'Sheesh Mahal by destroying the homes of the poor, will he not provide homes to these people?” he asked.
The BJP has been taking jibes at Kejriwal and his AAP over the renovation of the bungalow once occupied by the former Delhi chief minister and has dubbed it a 'Sheesh Mahal' for the "lavish spending" on it.
Verma alleged that many slum dwellers have paid up to Rs 1 lakh under the housing scheme for them but have not received the homes they were promised. The Delhi government failed to deliver on its commitment, he claimed.
At the press conference, also attended by several slum dwellers affected by the housing issue, Verma presented documents, which he said were obtained through RTI applications, showing that while the government had taken the money under the scheme, the promised flats were never handed over to the applicants. "If Kejriwal cannot keep his promise, I think he should not fight this election," he said, exuding confidence about the BJP's win in the upcoming elections.
The remarks by the challenger to Kejriwal in his New Delhi Assembly seat came after the AAP chief challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw all cases against people living in 'jhuggis' and resettle those displaced within 24 hours, vowing not to contest the elections if the BJP complies.
Verma also showed documents that purportedly indicated that demolition of slums had been carried out by the AAP-governed Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and slammed the party for "not being able" to resolve the issues facing slum dwellers while shifting blame onto the BJP.
One of the slum dwellers, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, said that they had to submit the money in 15 day. However, after submitting the documents and the money 13 years ago he has not been able to get the homes, he said.
Despite not winning any of the 12 SC-reserved seats in 2015 and 2020, the BJP is optimistic about improving its performance in Dalit-dominated constituencies in Delhi ahead of the February 5 assembly polls through a sustained outreach campaign.
The BJP has conducted extensive outreach in 30 constituencies with significant Dalit voters, deploying senior workers and engaging 18,000 volunteers. The campaign included direct voter contact, meetings with Dalit leaders, and "SC Swabhiman Sammelan" events. The BJP aims to highlight the Modi government's work for Dalits while criticizing the AAP’s decade-long governance.
Meanwhile, hitting out at BJP, the AAP claimed that the party has rendered 3 lakh ‘jhuggi’ residents shelterless. “In contrast, Arvind Kejriwal has tirelessly worked to ensure dignity for ‘jhuggi’ dwellers—laying sewer lines, providing water, and ensuring electricity in 1,800 unauthorized colonies. Just yesterday, Arvind Kejriwal visited Shakur Basti’s Railway Jhuggi Camp, where BJP plans to demolish homes. Their double standards are clear—promising support while betraying the most vulnerable,” the party said in a statement.
